34 of the Best, Weirdest, Most Memorable Moments in CMT Music Awards History

On Wednesday June 7, the CMT Awards air at 8 p.m. ET on (what else?) CMT. With major country music names like Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Florida Georgia Line performing and collaborating alongside Jason Derulo, The Chainsmokers, and Peter Frampton―and Nashville's Charles Esten hosting―the event's secured big-name talent to make us want to tune in. But for further proof that the show's worth watching, we need only look back at its track record from years past of outrageous outfits, standout performances, and captured-on-camera exchanges.

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Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, 2007

Split and repeat on the step-and-repeat? The Cowboys cheerleaders came to perform during the show, but they apparently couldn't wait to kick things off right outside the event.

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, 2016

So. much. love.

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Shania Twain, 2003

In 2003, when the CMT Music Awards were still called the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, Shania dressed appropriately flame-emoji-worthy. It's a leopard top, it's a see-through top, it's a see-through leopard top all at the same time.

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Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, and Reba McEntire, 2005

Martina McBride and Reba McEntire presenting the Johnny Cash Visionary Award to Loretta Lynn made for one of the award show's most touching moments so far.

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Dierks Bentley and Jake, 2009

This is Jake. Jake is the cutest red carpet date in CMT Music Awards history, hands down.

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Taylor Swift and mom Andrea Finlay, 2007

...Except for, maybe, when Taylor Swift brought her Mom. That was cute. too.

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Carrot Top, 2002

Oh. Thank you for clarifying.

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Taylor Swift, 2007

Before Taylor was the red carpet pro she is now, she stood slightly too close to the step and repeat and made faces like this.

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Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, 2016

Proof that people never take themselves too seriously on this red carpet.

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Carrie Underwood, 2007

We feel you, Carrie.

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Gretchen Wilson, 2006

It's not a Going Out Top, it's a Going Out...Vest. That's a moment in and of itself.

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Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, 2008

Stars, they're just like us: also gloriously awkward while doing those belly-rubbing "we're pregnant!" hand signals for the camera.

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Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, 2008

But not awkward about FACE TOUCHING, it seems.

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Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, 2008

Remember when?

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Kenan Thompson and Reba McEntire, 2010

After impersonating Reba on SNL a handful of times, Kenan Thompson took the skit straight to the source, facing off with Reba in front of a live audience of country fanatics. Brave man.

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Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, 2010

See? All of the PDA all the time.

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Kellie Pickler, 2007

Really, really excited about this hair moment.

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John Mayer and Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 2010

There's probably really good food to eat and a lot of cool people to talk to backstage, but John Mayer had only one thing in mind: comparing his abs with a Jersey Shore cast member. Obviously.

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Carrie Underwood, 2013

Backed by a choir from Nashville's Christ Church, Underwood paid tribute to victims of the devastating tornados that swept through her native Oklahoma that year.

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Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, 2008

Country's first couple, giving the people what they want, a duet to "I Need You."

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John Corbett, 2006

In 2004, Sex and the City aired its last episode. Two years later, Aidan released a country album and surely confused a not small amount of people as to what he was doing at the CMT Music Awards.

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Taylor Swift and Def Leppard, 2009

Long before her 2015 tour that featured a seemingly endless list of surprise guest appearances (The Weeknd, Mick Jagger, Idina Menzel), Taylor shocked the audience by performing with none other than Def Leppard.

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Taylor Swift, 2010

Also shocking: Taylor's first year at the awards with totally sleek, straight hair.

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Kid Rock, 2010

But seriously, that is some serious air.

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Taylor Swift, 2007

So maybe it wasn't a moment then, but when we see it now, it's like: wow, your fashion has gotten soooo much more fancy.

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Blake Shelton, 2007

Paula Dean was supposed to present an award but got stuck in Nashville due to bad weather, so Shelton swooped in to fill her shoes. Naturally, he insisted on playing the part as closely as possible, walking on stage in an apron and carrying a pie (which looks really good?).

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Keith Urban and Hurricane Katrina survivors, 2006

In 2006, Urban orchestrated one of the most moving performances in the show's history.

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Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, 2014

Performing a duet of "Something Bad," proving that in real life, it's not all Nashville-style rivalries and cattiness for country's leading women.

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Gina Gershon, 2005

It just wouldn't be right if someone didn't show up wearing head-to-toe denim at least once in the event's history. It's country, after all.

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